SUV Crashes Through Bayshore Balustrade

TAMPA, FLORIDA – An SUV crashed into the Bayshore Boulevard balustrade this morning when the driver lost control and traveled onto the sidewalk, police said.

The 46-year-old female driver and a child in her Ford Expedition received minor injuries and were taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, according to a report from the Tampa Police Department.

The driver was traveling north in the outside lane in the 400 block of Bayshore Boulevard around 7:30 a.m. when she tried to move into the inside lane, police said. After realizing the lane was occupied by another vehicle, the driver jerked her steering wheel to the right and lost control, police said.

The SUV jumped the curb and struck a light pole and the balustrade, police said. It did not crash into the water.

TECO responded to the scene and cut off electricity to the light pole, which broke in half with part of landing in the water.

A temporary barrier will be erected until the balustrade can be replaced.